The path of the exhibition is divided in four large chronological periods (given shape by the “wings”): – archeology, and the birth of civilizations – medieval times and the birth of Islam – the classical era, from Humanism to Enlightenment – the modern and contemporary era, starting at the end of the 18th century

Each wing is divided in galleries that treat and show the different period’s aspects and the transition between those four chronological periods is done by the multifunction rooms named ‘vestibule’. They are at the same time a place to pass through, to meditate, to learn, to rest.

The audio-visual installation is there to complete the museum’s mediation. All along the visit, the visitor will meet those tools in passive or interactive approaches. The technical installations follow the word’s cultural development without fade the collection exhibition and allow to target different type of public, through different communication channels.

The core of the audio-visual system is based on a high-end digital signage architecture. The main server is installed in the main technical room, and manages all the local solid-state players, connected in star topology. The exploitation team can monitor all the audio-visual installation at a glance and be received device alarms (disconnected or over-heating player, media missing, etc.). The digital signage tool allow to update media from any location in the museum, through online administration console. Which makes the installation very robust is the fact that the content is pushed to the player and stored locally. So even in case of network failure, the content is played. The system drives standard digital kiosk, as well as large scale projection, and multiple UHD screens displays with multitouch ability. Like this, all the audio-visual installation are manage from the same platform, easing exploitation and maintenance.

There is several type of audio-visual installations, all manage by the digital signage system:

The « Entrance Maps » are installed at the beginning of each gallery. This mediation tool gives the first keys to the visitor for understanding. By animed images, they discover the thematic topic of each gallery.The « Entrance Maps » consist of one large 58’’ UHD screen, recessed in the wall, connected to an UHD player. The display is mounted on a specific bracket to allow maintenance by the front.

The « Multimedia’s Table » ( an introduction for each gallery) are an interactive multimedia tool that propose one deeply view of the collection or subjets. Its media grammar is picked up intuitively (draw, point, touch, sweep ) to give an accessible display for any kind of visitor profil.The « Multimedia’s Table » consist of six 46” FHD screens integrated in a furniture, and covered by a single glass panel. A touch film is installed under the glass panel to transform the table into a large interactive device.

The « Multitouch Wall » are conceived as virtual display cases. The four 46” screens are installed in the display case furniture, at the same height than the actual shelves. They allows the visitors to go through the collection of objects not displayed at the time.

“Visual Stations” and “Multimedia stations” are keys to reading and understanding the collection. Systematically associated with the collection or specific objects (such as a scale model), they allow identification of mediation subjects and put the objects into context. Through animations, documentary films, researcher testimonials, texts and illustrations, etc. they literally make the collection talk.“Visual Stations” and “Multimedia stations” are standard passive and interactive kiosks, and consist of 15’’ and 22’’ screen integrated in a black-coated furniture. More than 40 stations are available along the galleries path.